Full Blog:
Hey, Grand Canyon, Here We Come!
Greetings, fellow hikers, from sunny Mississippi, where the best parking spot is not the one closest to the door, but the one in the shade. It is nice and roasty here, which is a good thing when one is about to take on the Canyon in late summer. We had a heat advisory this week until 7 AM one morning. Like it was going to cool off when the sun came up? I never did understand that one.
Isnt it interesting that when you announce youre going to do something significant like have a baby, visit China, hike the Grand Canyon that some people feel compelled to tell you of the just incredibly awful experience they had doing the same thing? Or it may be someone they knew. Regardless, the teller seems to get twisted joy in making every detail as excruciating as possible, as if crushing your anticipation is an exciting achievement. Ive had this happen twice now as Ive told people why Im out exercising in the midday sun: Im getting ready to hike the Grand Canyon! Usually I get amazement, awe, the inevitable are-you-out-of-your-mind?? Thankfully, most who have done the Canyon delivered rave reviews, offered up books and trail maps, and gave hints on surviving the heat (one suggested filling my camelback up with orange juice???? Yuck.). But with those particular two, when I told them where I was going, I could tell by their faces I was about to get treated to horror stories, tales of storms, heat exhaustion, mule ruts and dung, bad food, etc. Sure enough. Youll hate it, I heard. But it is amazing.
So which is it? I dont think it will be a cakewalk, but I do think it is all in the mindset. If I go thinking about how hot it will be, how dusty and endless the switchbacks are, how the Phantom Ranch wont have 600-threadcount sheets and a garden tub, Ill get out of the trip exactly what I deserve. If, however, I count every sweaty step I take as preparation for an amazing adventure, if I go with the idea that Im going to make lifelong friends, take unbelievable pictures, see a sight and accomplish a feat that relatively few can claim well, then, Ill also get out of the trip exactly what I deserve.
Im getting ready to hike the Grand Canyon! How cool it is to say that. And for those of you who are doing and saying the same thing, cheers to us! I think the Grand Canyon will be just a bit grander because well be in it. See you in a few weeks!
Happy Trails,
Erin
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